Title

Author

Faculty Advisor

Wilkes, John M.

Sponsor

Fitchburg MA Public School System

Abstract

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) has caused a fiery debate among public school officials due to the fact that many students are at risk of failing this test.The MCAS takes effect starting this year as a high stakes state achievement test. It is supposed to improve standards and provide accountability tied to state-wide curriculums. Prior study of the SAT has revealed an "intuitive" advantage using MBTI data from the Worcester and Fitchburg public school systems. This study seeks to find a similar cognitive bias on the MCAS. Also, if there is a bias, is it the same size and strength involving the same variables? In this socio-economic context, there might be a consequence of the MCAS relating so highly to the SAT in what the exams tell you. Finally, the study seeks to help identify those students "at risk" of failing the MCAS given the findings of what it is correlated with.

Publisher

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Date Accepted

January 2001

Project Type

Interactive Qualifying Project

Copyright Statement

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